The long-term objective of this project is the development of a rapid quantitative assay for fentanyl and a qualitative assay (screen) for fentanyl and other narcotics of the 4-anilinopiperidine series. The assay will be developed with the goal of measuring the drugs in whole blood spotted on filter paper, i.e., finger-stick assay. The proposed methodology will initially involve Ia25 immunoassay techniques, which will be changed later to a solid-phase enzyme immunoassay protocol.The direct benefit to the health field will be the availability of a test that is rapid, nonlabor intensive, cost effective, and specific for the fentanyl family of drugs and detection of their abuse. The specimen employed can be obtained away from the laboratory by nontrained personnel and cannot be adulterated. Furthermore, it can be obtained without personal embarrassment to the individual being tested (e.g., being observed passing urine). The development of this test will make available to hospitals, doctors' offices, commercial laboratories, and drug-screening centers the first convenient, specific method for assaying or screening for the fentanyl family of drugs and their abuse.National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
